Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cpr) feedback systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a force. The method also includes, in response to determining the force, acquiring spatial orientation data, remove the effects of gravity, and wirelessly or wired method of communicating the spatial orientation data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/973,478, filed Apr. 1, 2014 and titledCARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS; theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to medical equipment.Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates tocardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

CPR is an emergency procedure performed in an effort to manuallypreserve intact brain function until further measures can be performedto restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person whois in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in persons who are unresponsivewith no breathing or abnormal breathing, for example, agonalrespirations.

CPR quality may be improved by use of various equipment. For example,CPR feedback equipment may provide medical personnel with feedbackinformation for improving their CPR performance. Various timing deviceshave been developed for assisting a rescuer in achieving the correctrate. Some units can also provide timing reminders for performingcompressions, ventilating, and changing operators. Some other automateddevices have been made available that can take over the chestcompressions for the rescuer.

Despite advances, there is a continuing need for improved CPR feedbacksystems and methods.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Systems and methods for cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback aredisclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining aforce. The method also includes, in response to determining the force,acquiring spatial orientation data, remove the effects of gravity, andwirelessly or wired method of communicating the spatial orientationdata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofvarious embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shownin the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosedsubject matter is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a CPR feedback system in accordance withembodiments of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system in accordance with embodimentsof the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method for CPR feedback inaccordance with embodiments of the present subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for implementing an example method for CPRfeedback;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view depicting an operational environment of anexample system for providing CPR feedback in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view depicting an operational environment of anexample system for providing CPR feedback with a subject sitting uprightin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an image showing an example display of CPR feedbackin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity tomeet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is notintended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors havecontemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied inother ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the onesdescribed in this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies. Moreover, although the term “step” may be used herein toconnote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a CPR feedback system 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the present subject matter. Referring toFIG. 1, the system includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102 that isoperatively connected to multiple components as shown. Although, itshould be understood that the CPU 102 may be implemented with any othersuitable hardware, software, or firmware, and may be operativelyconnected with any other suitable components that are not shown as willbe understood by those of skill in the art. The CPU 102 may executemultiple instructions for implementing the functionality describedherein. It should also be understood that the CPU 102 may work togetherwith one or more other suitable electronic components for implementingthe functionality described herein as will be understood by those ofskill in the art.

The system 100 may include a battery 104 and/or another power supply 106as will be understood by those of skill in the art for providing powerto the CPU 102. The battery 104 and/or power supply 106 may alsosuitably supply power to other components of the system 100 that areshown in the figure or other components that are not shown. The system100 may include a universal serial bus (USB) interface 108 for operativeconnection to a USB-enabled device. In an example, the system 100 mayderive power from the USB-enabled device that is operatively connectedto the USB interface 108. Further, the USB-enabled device and the system100 may exchange data via the USB interface via a suitable USBcommunications technique. The USB-enabled device may be a suitablecomputing device such as, but not limited to, a mobile computing device(e.g., a laptop computer, a smartphone, or a tablet computer).

The system 100 may include a memory storage 110 for storing instructionsfor the CPU or other data for implementing the functionality describedherein. The CPU 102 and memory storage 110 may be operatively configuredto function together such that the CPU 102 can access instructions andother data stored in the memory storage 110 for implementing thefunctionality described herein.

The system 100 may include a gyroscope 112, a magnetometer 114, and anaccelerometer 116. Alternatively, the system may include any combinationof these types of sensors and/or other sensors of any suitable type forimplementing the functionality described herein. The gyroscope 112 canmeasure orientation of the system 100 or a device in which the system isimplemented. The magnetometer 114 is configured to measure themagnetization of a magnetic material, such as a ferromagnet, or tomeasure the strength and/or direction of the magnetic field at a pointin space where the system 100 is located. The accelerometer 116 canmeasure proper acceleration of the system 100 or a device in which thesystem 100 is implemented. After acquiring measurements, thesecomponents may suitably communicate all or a portion of the measurementdata to the CPU 102 for processing or to the memory storage 110 forstorage.

As an example, the measurement data collected by the gyroscope 112and/or magnetometer 114 may be read into the CPU 102 for use indetermining spatial orientation. The CPU 102 may implement instructionsfor determining spatial orientation based on the collected measurementdata. Subsequently, the CPU 102 may access and read the accelerometerdata for force and depth determinations. Further, the CPU 102 maysuitably process and prepare collected data for transmission as will bedescribed in further detail. The CPU 102 may determine whether thecollected data is to be transmitted. If it is determined that there isto be no transmission of the data, the CPU 102 may store the data in thememory storage 110 for later retrieval.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 may include suitablecomponents for wirelessly transmitting collected data and otherinformation in accordance with embodiments of the present subjectmatter. For example, the system 100 may include an antenna 118 that isoperatively configured with a transmitter 120. The CPU and storagememory may suitably implement instructions for controlling thetransmitter 120 and antenna 118 for communicating data and otherinformation. For example, the system 100 may include any suitable typeof radiofrequency (RF) transmission component 122 for receiving data andinformation from the CPU 102 for transmission by the antenna 118.Further, for example, the transmitter 120 may be a suitableBLUETOOTH®-enabled component and/or IEEE 802.11-enabled component fortransmission of data.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example system in accordancewith embodiments of the present subject matter. Referring to FIG. 2, thesystem is shown as being implemented on a suitable circuit board.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for CPR feedback inaccordance with embodiments of the present subject matter. The method ofFIG. 3 is described as being implemented by the system 100 shown in FIG.1 in this example; however, it should be understood that the method mayalternatively be implemented by any other suitable system.

Referring to FIG. 3, the method includes detecting 300 a force. Forexample, a force sensor, such as the accelerometer 116 shown in FIG. 1,may be activated when a force is exerted on the system 100. Afterdetecting the force, the accelerometer 116 may communicate a signalindicating the detection to the CPU 102. Force measurements may besuitably processed by the CPU 102 and stored in memory storage 110 orany other suitable memory components.

The method of FIG. 3 includes determining 302 whether a magnitude of thedetected force exceeds a predetermined threshold. Continuing theaforementioned example, the CPU 102 may execute a loop for detection ofthe force and remain in the loop until a force is detected that exceedsa predetermined threshold. For example, if it is determined that thedetected force does not exceed the threshold, the method returns to step300. If the detected force exceeds the threshold, the method proceeds tostep 304. The force sensor (e.g., accelerometer 116) may continuously orperiodically measure force and communicate the measurements to the CPU102 for determining whether the threshold is exceeded.

Subsequent to detection of the force, the method of FIG. 3 includesdetecting spatial orientation. For example, the method of FIG. 3includes using 304 one or more gyroscopes and magnetometers to determinespatial orientation. Continuing the aforementioned example, thegyroscope 112 and the magnetometer 114 shown in FIG. 1 may acquirementmeasurement data and communicate the measurement data to the CPU 102.The data may be stored in the memory storage 110. The CPU 102 may usethe acquired data to determine a spatial orientation and remove theeffects of gravity of the system 100.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the method includes using 306 oneor more accelerometers to detect a vector of acceleration. Continuingthe aforementioned example, the accelerometer 116 shown in FIG. 1 maydetect a vector of acceleration and communicate the data to the CPU 102.The acquired data may be stored in the memory storage 110. The CPU 102may measure the accelerometer 116 to determine vector of acceleration.The CPU may use the acquired data in accordance with functionalitydescribed herein.

The method of FIG. 3 may include data processing 308. Continuing theaforementioned example, in summary in response to determining that theforce exceeds a predetermined threshold as determined in step 302,spatial orientation and acceleration vector data is determined and usedfor data processing. Such data may be collected each time a force isdetected that exceeds the threshold. Further, the system 100 may includehigh pass filters or other hardware, and/or suitable data processingtechniques to smooth the raw data into usable form as will be understoodto those of skill in the art. Further, the CPU 102 may verify the dataand suitably prepare the data for transmission.

The method of FIG. 3 includes outputting 310 the data. For example,acquired and/or processed data may be communicated to one or more othercomputing devices. The data may be wirelessly communicated to anothercomputing device. Continuing the aforementioned example, the system 100of FIG. 1 may wirelessly transmit the data. The data may be suitablycommunicated by use of the transmitter 120, RF 122, and/or antenna 118as will be understood by those of skill in the art.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, FIG. 4illustrates a flow diagram for implementing an example method for CPRfeedback. Referring to FIG. 4, various sensors 400 may be includedwithin a system, such as the system 100 shown in FIG. 1. In thisexample, the sensors 400 may be controlled to obtain the measurements ofacceleration 402, angular rotation rate 404, magnetic field intensity406, and force 408. Acceleration rate, angular rotation rate, andmagnetic field intensity may be obtained on 3-axis at a suitable rate(e.g., about 500 Hz). The sensors 400 may also obtain othermeasurements. Example sensors for obtaining the measurements include,but are not limited to, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and accelerometer,and the like. The data may be suitably stored. In an example, the CPU102 shown in FIG. 1 may receive the measurement data and implement thefunctionality of FIG. 4. Further, other components of the system 100shown in FIG. 1 may be suitably used for implementing the functionalityof FIG. 4.

The method of FIG. 4 may include applying an orientation algorithm 410for determining an orientation 412 of a system, such as the system 100shown in FIG. 1. In an example, the orientation algorithm may beimplemented by the CPU 102 that is processing instructions from thememory storage 110. The CPU 102 may obtain the measurements ofacceleration, angular rotation rate, and magnetic field intensity fromthe sensors 400. The measurements may be used in the orientationalgorithm 410. In an example, the orientation algorithm 410 may becontinuously computed using acceleration, angular rotation, and magneticfield intensity to estimate the system or device's orientation inthree-dimension (3D) space (e.g., Earth's north, east and down).

With continuing reference to FIG. 4, the measured force 408 may be usedto identify the start and end of a compression cycle by comparing 413against threshold trigger points. For example, the measurements obtainedby a force sensor may be obtained and used by the CPU 102 shown in FIG.1 for determining the compression cycle. Within a compression cycle orwindow 414, the acceleration in a global reference frame may be stored416 in the memory storage 110 and processed post compression event.

The method of FIG. 4 includes applying a post compression algorithm 418.The post compression algorithm 418 may be a displacement estimatealgorithm 420 including double integrating acceleration 422 in all threeaxes to obtain position with drift correction 424. Further, thealgorithm 418 may include estimating compression direction 426 bycomputing the maximum magnitude of displacement of the compressionwindow. The algorithm 418 may include projecting 3-axis globallyreferenced position data to the compression direction 426 and computingthe compression displacement estimate 428 invariant to body orientationand compression rotation.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view depicting an operationalenvironment of an example system for providing CPR feedback inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted thatthe system may implement some or all of the functionality describedherein and include components for implementing such functionality asdescribed herein. In this example, the system is shown in operation asbeing applied to a person or subject 500 in a horizontal position. It isnoted that the subject 500 is shown in a completely horizontal position,but it should be understood that the subject 500 may be in any suitableposition such that CPR may be applied by another. As an example, thesubject 500 may be in a sitting position.

Now referring to FIG. 5A, the system may include a computing device 502and a CPR device 504. A cable 506 may communicatively connect thecomputing device 502 and the CPR device 504. In this example, thecomputing device 502 is a laptop computer, although it should beunderstood that the computing device 502 may be any other suitablecomputing device such as, but not limited to, a tablet computer or asmartphone. The cable may be in accordance with USB standards.

The CPR device 504 may include, for example, some or all of thecomponents of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 for implementingfunctionality in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.The computing device 502 may include a display 508 for displayinggraphics or text for visualization of CPR compressions. During CPR,compressions to the chest of the subject 500 may be made directly orsubstantially in the direction indicated by arrow 510. The compressionsmay be made through the CPR device 504 to the chest of the subject 500.The force of the compressions may be measured in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, for example, the CPRdevice 504 may measure special orientation and vector of acceleration inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Such informationmay be processed and presented via the display 508 for providing CPRfeedback information to an administrator of CPR to the subject 500 whileCPR is being performed.

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view depicting an operationalenvironment of an example system for providing CPR feedback with asubject sitting upright in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. This figure depicts an environment and system that is thesame as FIG. 5A except that the person is sitting upright while CPR isadministered.

FIG. 6 illustrates an image showing an example display of CPR feedbackin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 6, a top portion shows the displacement and a bottom portion showsthe CPR rate.

Systems in accordance with the present disclosure may include a varietyof features such as, but not limited to, waterproof sensors,ergonomically shaped sensors, and USB connection for power and data.Further, systems may obtain measurement data such as, but not limitedto, compression depth and rate and chest recoil for insuring properchest compression.

The present disclosure may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present disclosure may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++or the like,and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

1-12. (cancelled)
 13. A method comprising: at a computing device of acardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback system: obtainingmeasurement data from one or more sensors in the CPR feedback system;determining orientation data based on the measurement data; calculatingpost compression information by applying a post compression algorithm tothe orientation data; and presenting the post compression information ona display device of the CPR feedback system.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the measurement data comprises one of measurements ofacceleration, angular rotation rate, magnetic field intensity, andforce.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensorscomprises one of a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an accelerometer. 16.The method of claim 1, wherein determining the orientation data based onthe measurement data comprises estimating an orientation of the CPRfeedback system in three-dimension (3D) space.
 17. The method of claim1, further comprising identifying a start and an end of a compressioncycle in the CPR feedback system.
 18. The method of claim 5, whereinidentifying the start and end of the compression cycle comprisescomparing the measurement data to a predetermined threshold.
 19. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the measurement data comprises a measurementof a force exerted on the CPR feedback system.
 20. The method of claim1, wherein the post compression algorithm calculates a position withdrift correction by double integrating acceleration data inthree-dimension (3D) space.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the postcompression algorithm calculates a compression direction by computingthe maximum magnitude of displacement of a compression window.
 22. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the post compression algorithm calculates acompression displacement estimate invariant to a body orientation and acompression rotation by projecting a three-axis globally referencedposition data to a compression direction.
 23. A system comprising: acardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback device configured to:obtain measurement data from one or more sensors in a CPR feedbacksystem; determine orientation data based on the measurement data;calculate post compression information by applying a post compressionalgorithm to the orientation data; and a display device configured topresent the post compression information.
 24. The system of claim 11,wherein the measurement data comprises one of measurements ofacceleration, angular rotation rate, magnetic field intensity, andforce.
 25. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more sensorscomprises one of a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an accelerometer. 26.The system of claim 11, wherein the CPR feedback device is configured todetermine the orientation data by estimating an orientation of the CPRfeedback system in three-dimension (3D) space.
 27. The system of claim11, the CPR feedback device further configured to identify a start andan end of a compression cycle in the CPR feedback system.
 28. The systemof claim 15, wherein the CPR feedback devices is configured to identifythe start and end of the compression cycle by comparing the measurementdata to a predetermined threshold.
 29. The system of claim 16, whereinthe measurement data comprises a measurement of a force exerted on theCPR feedback system.
 30. The system of claim 11, wherein the postcompression algorithm calculates a position with drift correction bydouble integrating acceleration data in three-dimension (3D) space. 31.The system of claim 11, wherein the post compression algorithmcalculates a compression direction by computing the maximum magnitude ofdisplacement of a compression window.
 32. The system of claim 11,wherein the post compression algorithm calculates a compressiondisplacement estimate invariant to a body orientation and a compressionrotation by projecting a three-axis globally referenced position data toa compression direction.